Reflections on District 3

Updated 5:33 pm, Monday, December 17, 2012

As 2012 comes to a close, I would like to recognize the tremendous generosity of residents in supporting my work on the City Council as your representative for District 3.

After assuming this position in January, I have been privileged to interact with many of you and represent you at City Hall. This is an experience that I have been truly humbled by and for which I am extremely grateful.

The South Side is growing in many positive ways, and our future looks incredibly bright. Over the past year, we opened several new playgrounds and park areas at Southside Lions, Stinson Park-Five Diamonds Little League, Jim Maddox Park and SA Youth/Holy Cross Episcopal Church on Petaluma Boulevard.

The Mission Reach section along the San Antonio is evolving as a diverse, attractive recreational area, and more playgrounds and park improvements will take place next year.

The city's 2012-17 bond program — which many of you voted for this year — includes more than $42 million of spending for a variety of projects in District 3 and the South Side, including some $18 million for drainage and flood control in areas like Goliad Road and Belford.

Streets, bridges and sidewalks in our neighborhoods will benefit from $13 million in spending, while more than $10 million will be invested in parks, recreation projects and open space. This funding will impact Espada Road, for instance, along with Highland Park, Pickwell Park and Pytel Park.

These investments and other Southside developments are helping to bring more commercial, residential and recreational projects to our community.

Brooks Development Authority and the city have just formed a partnership with Nexolon America, a solar-panel maker, which will create 400 jobs at a plant and offices in Brooks City-Base. The positions include average yearly salaries of more than $44,400, and all jobs are required to meet or exceed a living wage.

Nexolon is also contributing a $500,000 grant to the Alamo Colleges for the technical training of local residents for these jobs.

The Pre-K 4 SA initiative recently passed by voters will bring an educational center to City Base West. VIA is set to add a transit center in the Brooks City-Base area.

Work is also moving ahead on the Valor Club at Pecan Valley that, in addition to preserving green space for Southside residents, will create innovative housing and recreational projects for the area. In terms of our seniors, the District 3 field office has organized a series of field trips and events to help these residents remain active and engaged with the fantastic resources San Antonio has to offer.

Public safety also remains at the forefront of my work for you. In 2012, I organized a series of forums on ways to improve the Roosevelt-South Presa corridor in cooperation with local businesses, community groups and the San Antonio Police Department.

In the year ahead, I will continue to support efforts that empower residents and position Southside neighborhoods for a strong future. I wish everyone a healthy, happy and peaceful Christmas in 2012 and an exciting and hope-filled New Year in 2013.